Cold winter weather has a way of revealing all my beauty flaws- dry skin, flat, lifeless hair, and fine lines and wrinkles that didn’t seem as noticeable during the warmer months. And especially as I get older, I’m always on the lookout for skincare and haircare products that actually work (not just promise miracles).
Thankfully, I’ve found a few holy-grail–level new favorites. As a beauty blogger, I’ve had the opportunity to try out countless fabulous brands. And when I discover something I absolutely love, I want to shout it from the rooftops! I’m excited to share my newest beauty obsessions—products that help my skin look youthful and radiant and my hair healthy, shiny, and soft—not just through the winter, but all year long (and a few extra beauty must-haves, too!)
These aren’t just my latest seasonal favorites. They’re products that truly help me feel confident, beautiful, and refreshed- even during the holiday madness of running on pure adrenaline and almost zero sleep. I felt like a zombie, but I received endless compliments from friends and family on how youthful and glowing I looked… so yes, these products are definitely working, and people are definitely noticing! So, if you’re ready for a winter beauty glow-up or just looking for skincare and haircare products that actually do what they promise, you’ll definitely want to give these a try!
Firm, Radiant Skin & a Youthful Glow
Dr. Brandt Skincare
As my skin matures, (hello jowls, sagginess and wrinkles) I’ve become more selective about the products I use and look for formulas that give me real, visible results. Dr. Brandt Skincare was developed by brilliant dermatologists, blending science and innovation to address skin concerns from the inside out and the outside in. And though I’ve tried (and loved) a few of Dr. Brandt’s moisturizers over the years, I hadn’t really explored their anti-aging skin care. So, I was especially excited to try them out— and I’ve found the results to be far beyond what I expected. The formulas are powerful, yet gentle and deliver what they promise- smoother, firmer, more youthful-looking skin. Below are my favorite Dr. Brandt products.
This collagen-boosting gel mimics microneedling with natural spicules (tiny needles) creating millions of microchannels to smooth fine lines, even out texture, and enhance absorption of essential skin care ingredients, without pain or downtime. I use it 2-3 times per week (only in the evening).
I have tried microneedling before, but I just could not get past the pain. I believe in the benefits of microneedling, so, I was eager to try this product. It causes a little tingly, warm sensation- which is a natural reaction that shows it’s working but doesn’t hurt at all. I use this gel as the first step after cleansing (in the evening.) I haven’t been using it long, but my skin is glowing like it hasn’t glowed in years. I can’t wait to see how my skin looks after a few months!
This amazing pre-serum is like skincare armor. It is designed to strengthen the skin barrier, keeping it healthy and resilient. It also provides instant hydration to the driest of skin, which is especially important in winter when temperature swings can leave skin dry, stressed and sensitive.
I love how this serum is so incredibly moisturizing and absorbs quickly. My parched skin just drinks it up. I use it before applying any other skin care, and it leaves my skin look supple and luminous. No more worry about chapped, flaky skin.
This luxurious serum works to firm skin, decrease fine lines and wrinkles, and restore skin’s fresh, youthful glow. Its unique formula encourages active skin rejuvenation and collagen production. For ultimate absorption, every drop is microencapsulated within 20,000 optimal-release pearls that hydrate and nourish skin in two phases: a refreshing water phase, and a luxurious oil phase.
I love how this serum instantly wakes up my dull, tired complexion. It has a lifting effect and leaves my skin silky soft and looking dewy, radiant and refreshed even after sleepless nights or frigid winter weather.
Tip: I love to layer to my serums!
This cream is formulated with an effective combination of powerful, yet natural ingredients that boost collagen, using plant-derived stem cells and tripeptides to activate your skin’s anti-aging signals. It nourishes and firms the skin, decreases the appearance of lines and wrinkles, and improves elasticity. It also has an uplifting fragrance, which promotes neuroscience-supported feelings of relaxation and self-confidence.
This cream is the perfect moisturizer for wintertime. It provides much needed hydration and makes my skin feel firmer and plumped out throughout the day. I love how it is never heavy or greasy, and my makeup goes on perfectly afterwards without ever looking shiny. The scent is blissful, too.
This gentle overnight cream is formulated with three forms of retinol for long-term anti-aging benefits. It smooths fine lines and wrinkles and improves uneven skin tone to promote a radiant complexion overnight. Its unique botanical blend soothes and calms skin while ceramides and squalane help seal moisture into the skin.
Retinol can be tricky, but this product strikes the perfect balance for my skin. It is powerful enough to diminish my wrinkles and make my skin look brighter and tighter, but still gentle enough for consistent use—which I need, because my skin is usually sensitive to retinol, especially in the winter. (I apply it each night after cleansing, before my moisturizer.)
The neck area is often overlooked, but it’s one of the first places to show aging. This richly hydrating neck cream is designed to visibly lift and tighten delicate neck skin, smooth creases and reduce sagging under the chin and jawline. It also helps re-shape contours to restore a youthful neck area. Bye, bye turkey neck!
I absolutely despise how the neck area is so quick to age. I truly wish I had used SPF more in my younger years, especially on my neck, because that is area I struggle with the most as my skin matures. I have tried countless neck firming creams, but Dr. Brandt’s neck cream works wonders for my skin. I use it both morning and night and have noticed a real improvement in firmness after using it for a little over two weeks. I’m impressed!
Dr. Brandt was the first to create an all-around face, eye, and forehead wrinkle cream that mimics the effects of wrinkle-relaxing injectables. This lightweight cream smooths existing expression lines and wrinkles, firms and protects the skin, and helps prevent future wrinkles from forming.
This cream is perfect for areas where my skin needs extra help- like those annoying brow creases, forehead lines, laugh lines and crow’s feet. It diminishes my wrinkles and gives my skin that smooth, youthful look instead of relying on Botox injections. I wish I had discovered this product a long time ago! After cleansing, morning and night, I pat a few drops of this cream onto those areas and follow with serum and moisturizer.
Luscious Healthy Locks for Winter (and all year, too)
Kerasilk & KMS Haircare
The constant back-and-forth between freezing cold temperatures and dry indoor heat can really take a toll on your hair, leaving it frizzy, brittle, drier than a haystack, and harder to manage than usual. During the winter months, our hair needs a little extra TLC to stay healthy and beautiful.
These products have quickly become my haircare superheroes, strengthening, protecting, and bringing my winter-ravaged hair back to life—even during the harshest weather. My hair feels softer, looks healthier and shinier, and has that full, youthful bounce I love.
Kerasilk
This intensively moisturizing recovery mask is a lifesaver for hair that is dry, thirsty, stressed, or damaged from bleach or chemical treatments. It deeply nourishes the hair fiber, helps repair the hair structure, and improves resilience, reducing breakage by up to 97% without weighing hair down. The result is silky, smooth hair with hydration that lasts for up to five washes.
Since I’m still growing out my bleach-damaged hair, it tends to feel especially dry during chilly weather. This revitalizing mask is exactly what my hair needs to look and feel healthy again. I use it at least once a week (after washing my hair, I leave it in for just five minutes, before rinsing.) My hair stays soft, shiny, and manageable long after. I also love that it delivers serious moisture without ever feeling too heavy on my fine hair.
This lightweight yet luxurious oil adds high shine and seals in moisture to help protect hair against dryness and brittleness. It offers long-lasting frizz control for up to 72 hours, helps seal split ends, reduces flyaways, and provides heat protection up to 446°.
This product gives my hair a lustrous shine, and my split ends virtually disappear. I use it to smooth my frizzies and tame those annoying wayward strands. It’s the perfect finishing touch after washing and conditioning—I apply it before blow-drying or simply let my hair air dry for soft, polished results without ever feeling heavy.
This invigorating spray is infused with Biomimetic Silk and Blue Lotus Extract to help rebuild and optimize the hair surface, supporting long-lasting cuticle repair and healthy-looking hair with natural shine. It protects against heat, strengthens hair from the inside out, and helps reduce frizz and static.
I’m so happy I discovered Liquid Cuticle Filler. It leaves my bleach-damaged, dry, limp hair feeling noticeably thicker and stronger, with a level of fullness I’ve always wanted but could never quite achieve with my usual haircare products. My hair looks glossy, too. After washing, I towel-dry and apply the spray all over my hair and comb it through.
This nourishing leave-in balm effectively repairs and immediately reconstructs damaged hair and minimizes breakage. Just like the Recovery Mask, it is perfect for dry, stressed and damaged hair that has been bleached or chemically treated. It also helps reduce and prevent split ends, improves hair elasticity and offers long lasting protection from hair from heat and recurring dryness.
After washing and conditioning, I rub a quarter size amount between my palms and work it into my towel-dried, damp hair, and then I comb through it. It’s not oily or greasy and really helps soften up my dry ends. It smells amazing and I love how I can easily run my fingers through my hair when it dries.
KMS
This formula gently cleanses while helping repair damage and replenish much-needed moisture. Powered by micro bio-actives that penetrate deep into the hair, it works to restore weakened hair structure, reduce breakage and split ends, and leave hair feeling stronger and healthier. It deeply moisturizes even very dry hair without adding weight. It also helps strengthen and protect hair from future damage, leaving it feeling resilient, smooth, and beautiful.
Moist Repair is my newest favorite for shampoo for wintertime. It is so hydrating and makes my hair so much softer, easier to detangle, and more manageable.
For hair that is weak, dry, brittle, and prone to breakage or split ends, Moist Repair Revival is the perfect solution. This creamy leave-in strengthens and repairs damaged hair, instantly replenishes moisture, and helps prevent further damage—all while being light enough for everyday use. It leaves hair feeling softer, shinier and healthier.
My dry hair absolutely requires a moisture rich leave-in conditioner during the winter, and this one keeps my hair ever so hydrated, especially when the air is cold and unforgiving.
This hairspray locks in your style without making hair feel stiff or sticky. It dries quickly, leaves a natural-looking finish, and holds everything in place—even through frizz, humidity, and long days—without any flaking or residue. It smooths flyaways, tames frizz, and seals the hair’s surface for that perfectly polished look, while protecting against environmental stressors. The anti-static effect is a huge bonus, especially in winter when hair (just like the weather) has a mind of its own.
Since I am still growing out my bleach-damaged hair, I have to curl it almost every day because the ends look so scraggly between trims. My hair usually never holds a curl and needs a spray with firm holding power. This finishing spray has quickly become my favorite hairspray because it locks everything in. It holds my style in place without making my hair feel crunchy, stiff or overdone. I love it!
More Beauty Picks (For Winter and Beyond)
Along with my go-to skincare and haircare favorites, I’ve also discovered a few extra essentials that have quickly become must-haves in my beauty arsenal. These are the kinds of products you don’t realize you need—until you’ve tried them.
Crazy winter weather, hats, scarves, and constant temperature changes can wreak havoc on hair, which is why I love this clever little hair essentials kit. It’s a compact, travel-friendly 38 piece collection of bobby pins, claw clips and hair ties inside a cute little egg-shaped case that clips onto your purse, bag, or key chain. Whether I’m running errands, traveling, or just trying to tame my messy hair after taking off my beanie, it’s perfect for when I need a quick hair fix. It’s a stylish and easy solution for any hair emergencies.
ROSE CODE Smile Alchemy Teeth Whitening Stylus
Winter is a time of hot chocolate, coffee, tea, and holiday treats that might make your smile not-so-bright. I love this teeth-whitening pen because it makes touch-ups simple, whether I’m at home or on the go. The brush-tip applicator allows for precise application, and the formula helps visibly brighten teeth while still feeling gentle.
This lip balm may be made for kids, but I’m a kid at heart. Cold weather is brutal on my lips, and these amazing lip balms keep mine soft, smooth, and hydrated without any sticky gloss feel. The little tubes are perfect for tossing into a bag or coat pocket, and the yummy flavors are a lot of fun. My 6-year-old granddaughter loves them too!
When we discover holy-grail-level skincare, haircare, and other beauty products that help us look and feel our very best, it takes the pressure off and allows us to focus on enjoying the season instead of worrying about our appearance—despite the stress of the holidays or the bitter cold weather.
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